Every day, Anthony Nolan saves the lives of people with a blood cancer or blood disorder. We do this by matching incredible individuals willing to donate their stem cells to people who desperately need a lifesaving transplant. We also carry out cutting edge scientific research, fund specialist post-transplant nurses and support patients and their families through the transplant process and beyond. We won’t stop until we save the lives of everyone who needs a stem cell transplant. Every penny you donate brings us closer to that day.

In December 2019, after a year of declining Aplastic Anaemia, I went into hospital to receive a bone marrow transplant from an anonymous donor found through Anthony Nolan. Then followed two years of what felt like slow, sometimes painful recovery until I felt like me again (plus a global pandemic in the mix!)

Two and a half years on, I have normal blood counts and feel strong and ready to crack on with a new challenge. Enter London Marathon 2022. Having run and tried various challenges pre transplant I would have felt confident, however my body was blitzed of all strength and any memory of the stamina I maybe used to have has gone. Recovery is sloooooww and building the strength and stamina seems like a long tough mountain to climb. I am excited and nervous to run but I owe my life to this charity (which seems a tad dramatic but is pretty much true) and if I can make a small contribution to furthering their efforts and research or just getting their name out to someone who maybe hasn't considered registering, I will feel like a job well done. 

The personal achievement of finishing the run will feel huge to me, but raising money and encouraging individuals to register will be the real prize.